The rains were part of the same massive storm that shut down Denver. The New Orleans area got more than 4 inches of rain Wednesday and Thursday.

MORE BRIEFS

The pumping system gave out during Hurricane Katrina and since has been repaired. In a statement Thursday, city officials said that all of the pumps but one were “operational” – adding that debris-clogged storm drains might have been part of the problem.

WASHINGTON

Selective Service will test draft machinery

The Selective Service System is planning a comprehensive test of the military draft machinery, which hasn’t been run since 1998. The agency is not gearing up for a draft, an agency official said Thursday. The test itself would not likely occur until 2009.

The Selective Service “readiness exercise” would test the system that randomly chooses draftees by birth date and the network of appeals boards that decide how to deal with conscientious objectors and others who want to delay reporting for duty, said Scott Campbell, Selective Service director for operations and chief information officer.

MEXICO CITY

Calderon signals more support for migrants

President Felipe Calderon wants a 21 percent increase in government funding to help Mexican workers in the U.S. as part of his 2007 budget proposal. And for the first time, all of the fees collected by consulates would be dedicated to consular services abroad and not sent back to Mexico City.

Those are some of the changes Calderon has proposed to give greater support to a migrant population that sent a record $20 billion home in 2005 to support Mexican families.

Immigrants have complained for years that the Mexican government does not provide them the resources they deserve given their economic clout, and Calderon’s budget is the first sign of how he intends to address their concerns.

LONDON

Queen’s Christmas message also podcast

Queen Elizabeth II’s traditional Christmas speech will be available as a podcast this year for the first time. Officials said today that listeners can sign up to receive it from the British monarchy’s website, www.royal.gov.uk.

Internet users can also view the speech or read a text version on the royal website.

In her message, broadcast throughout Britain and the Commonwealth of its former colonies on Dec. 25, the queen will speak about the importance of the relationship between the generations, according to excerpts released today.

WASHINGTON

In year-end tradition, Bush issues pardons

President Bush issued 16 pardons to minor criminals on Thursday and commuted the sentence of an Iowa man serving time for a drug conviction.

Six of the federal offenses were drug crimes, while others included bank fraud, mail fraud, the acceptance of a kickback, a false statement on a loan application and conspiracy to defraud the government over taxes.

Seven of the 16 received no prison or jail time, instead getting probation or small fines. The longest sentence was nine years, for aiding cocaine distribution, followed by a six-year term for conspiracy to possess marijuana.

Pardons are an end-of-the- year presidential tradition, and Bush was not expected to issue any more this year. He last issued pardons in August.